Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr

Saint Catherine of
Alexandria, Virgin and

Martyr
Saint Catherine of Alexandria, or Saint Katharine of
Alexandria, also known as Saint Catherine of the
Wheel and The Great Martyr Saint Catherine, is,
according to tradition, a Christian saint and virgin,
who was martyred in the early 4th century at the
hands of the pagan emperor Maxentius.
Born: 287 AD, Alexandria, Egypt

Died: Alexandria, Egypt (November 25)
Full name: Katharine of Alexandria
Nationality: Egyptian
Place of burial: Saint Catherine's Monastery, Egypt
*Catherine's popularity as a
figure of devotion, during an era
of imaginative hagiography, has
obscured the facts of her life. It
is likely that she was of noble
birth, a convert to Christianity,
a virgin by choice (before the
emergence of organized
monasticism), and eventually a
martyr for the faith.
*Accounts of Catherine's life also agree on
the location where she was born,
educated, and bore witness to her faith.
The Egyptian city of Alexandria was a
center of learning in the ancient world,
and tradition represents Catherine as the
highly educated daughter of a noble
pagan family.
*It is said that a vision of the Virgin Mary
and the child Jesus spurred her
conversion, and the story has inspired
works of art which depict her decision to
live as a virginal “spouse of Christ.”
Third
Commandment
“Remember
thou keep
holy the
Sabbath Day.”
What does the Third
Commandment oblige you to do?
*To attend Mass every Sunday
and Holy Day of Obligation.
*To avoid all unnecessary
manual ("servile") work or
shopping on Sundays and Holy
Days.
What kind of sin is it to
miss Mass on Sunday or a
Holy Day?
-To
miss Mass on these days
through your own fault and without
sufficient reason is a mortal sin.
The Catechism of the Catholic
Church explains holy days of obligation
this way:
*On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the
faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or
activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the
joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the
works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of
mind and body.
*Family needs or important social service can
legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday
rest.
*The faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses
do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family
life, and health [CCC 2185].
Can. 1246 §1. Sunday, on which
by apostolic tradition the paschal
mystery is celebrated, must be
observed in the universal Church
as the primordial holy day of
obligation. The following days
must also be observed:
*January 1 – Motherhood of Mary
*December 8 – Immaculate Conception
(Patroness of the Philippines)
*December 25 – Nativity of the Lord
(Christmas)
* The rest of the holy days of obligation
before have been moved to Sundays for
pastoral reasons.
Sunday or the Lord's Day
*The Bible recounts the work of creation in six
“days." At the end God saw everything that he
had made, and behold, it was very good … So God
blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because
on it God rested from all his work which he had
done in creation (Gen 1:31; 2:3). In the Old
Testament, God decreed that the seventh day of
the week should be holy, a day set off and
distinct from the others. Man, who was called to
participate in the creative power of God,
perfecting the world through his work, was also to
cease working on the seventh day in order to
dedicate it to divine worship and to rest.
Participating in Mass on Sunday
* Since the sacrifice of the Eucharist is the “fountain and the
summit of the life of the Church," [4] Sunday is kept holy mainly
by participating in holy Mass. The Church expressed the third
commandment of the Decalogue concretely in the following
decree: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the
faithful are bound to participate in the Mass" (CIC, can.
1247; Catechism 2180). “The precept of participating in the Mass
is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere
in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the
preceding day" (CIC, can. 1248; Catechism 2180).
Sunday, day of rest
* “Just as God 'rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had
done' (Gen 2:2), human life has a rhythm of work and rest. The
institution of the Lord's Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and
leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social, and religious lives"
( Catechism 2184). On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the
faithful are to refrain “from work and activities that hinder the worship
owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, and the appropriate
relaxation of mind and body" (CIC, can. 1247). This constitutes a serious
obligation, as is that of sanctifying holy days. However, a more
important duty of justice or charity can excuse one from the obligation
of Sunday rest.
* “In respecting religious liberty and the common good of all, Christians
should seek recognition of Sundays and the Church's holy days as legal
holidays. They have to give everyone a public example of prayer,
respect, and joy and defend their traditions as a precious contribution
to the spiritual life of society" (Catechism 2188). “Every Christian should
avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them
from observing the Lord's Day" (Catechism 2187).
Self Questions:
Do I keep the Lord’s Day holy?

Do I try to get out of Mass on Sunday?
Do I fail to pay attention at Mass? During my prayers?
Have I been late for Mass through my own negligence?
Do I do unnecessary work on Sunday? Do I save all my homework
for Sunday?
Do I fail to take extra time for prayer and family on Sunday?
Do I fail to serve others on Sunday?
Have I deliberately missed Mass on Sundays or Holy Days of
Obligation?
Have I tried to observe Sunday as a family day and a day of rest?
Have I given over a considerable portion of my Sundays to
temporal affairs and not dedicated a good part of these days to
spiritual reading, prayer, and fellowship?
Do I deliberately come to Mass late or leave early?
Thank
You 

Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr

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Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr

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Saint Catherine of

Alexandria, Virgin and

Born: 287 AD, Alexandria, Egypt

Do I keep the Lord’s Day holy?

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